Two nine-year-old cricketers remained in hospital after suffering serious head injuries when a tree fell as they waited to use practice nets.

Lewis Gaston and George Roberts are under close observation at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, after being struck by the tree at Spencer Cricket Club in Earlsfield.

Aidan Oakley, also nine, suffered leg injuries and has been discharged from hospital, the cricket club said.

Members of the senior team were playing a match against Cheam Cricket Club when the tree fell yesterday afternoon. Players rushed to help the boys, who were taking part in a Surrey Inner London U9s District training session.

A statement from the Spencer Club said: "We understand that their condition is improving and we hope that they will continue to improve and make a full recovery.

"Our thoughts are with them both and their families. At this time, the club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to those people who responded so quickly to this terrible accident and who ensured that the injured boys would have the best chances of recovery.

"The coaches and parents who were at the training session who reacted so quickly to a very serious situation; the players and spectators from Cheam and Spencer cricket clubs who were playing at the ground at the time who were able to lift the tree and free the trapped boys; the doctor who was present at the ground who administered emergency care; and the police and ambulance services who arrived within minutes to take the children to hospital.

"We are extremely grateful to them all. The club would also like to thank all those people from around the world who have sent the boys their best wishes. We have been very moved by the messages of support from the wider cricket community, and are passing them on to the boys and their families."

In a statement, Surrey County Cricket Club (CCC) said it wished the three boys a speedy and full recovery. "The boys - Aidan Oakley, Lewis Gaston and George Roberts - were all taking part in a Surrey Inner London U9s District training session and were waiting for a turn to bowl in the nets when the accident took place.

"To echo sentiments expressed by Spencer CC, the club would like to place on the record its sincere thanks to all who played a role in the boys' recovery, both at the scene of the accident and later at St George's Hospital in Tooting."

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